Alaska’s most populous corridor can generate most of its electricity through renewable energy, but would require significant upfront capital investment, a University of Alaska Fairbanks team said in a new report.
What’s in the report:
$10B in capital approximately
+10% to the ratepayer approximately
What’s not in the report:
Low cost, low carbon, energy future for low-income people
Thumbs Down: Biden Halts LNG Export Approvals
Biden halts new LNG export project approvals, impacting economic and environmental review.
–DOE will be holding a review during the pause to assess LNG export impacts to Europe and Asia.
-Review process includes months-long analysis and public comment period.
-Biden emphasizes examining LNG exports’ effects on energy costs, security, and environment.
-Concerns in Europe and Asia over reliable U.S. LNG supply amidst Russian gas reduction.
Read More: CNBC, Washington Post, UPI, Reuters
Thumbs Up: Pogo Gold Production
Northern Star Resources Ltd. Oct. 19 reported that its Pogo Mine produced 66,655 ounces of gold during the final three months of calendar year 2023, which lifted the Alaska operation’s output for the year to 259,573 ounces.
“The Pogo team are enduring negative 40-degree days in Alaska but have maintained strong momentum in operational improvements with quarterly gold sales of 66,000 ounces and an all-in-sustaining costs of US$1,367 an ” Northern Star Resources Managing Director Stuart Tonkin said of the company’s only operation outside of Australia.
Aside from the first three months of 2023, which was impacted by a six-week shutdown of the mill for repairs, the mill at Pogo ran near or above its nameplate capacity last year
Thumbs Up: Alaska Lawmakers for Backing Willow in Court
A bipartisan coalition of Alaska lawmakers is defending the Biden administration’s approval of ConocoPhillips’ Willow project in the state’s National Petroleum Reserve.
In a friend of the court brief Friday, members of the state’s congressional delegation and the state Legislature told the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the $8 billion project is key for Alaska’s economy and for the nation as a whole.
“Alaska would not exist and cannot thrive without the responsible development of its resources,” the lawmakers told the 9th Circuit.